What to Do in Bergen in 24 Hours

I was born and raised in Norway just outside of Oslo. During my time living there, I explored much of what I believe to be one of the world's most beautiful countries and that included regular visits to Bergen. I'll never get tired of this lovely city and still make time to stop by when I have the chance.

Bergen is a wonderful city on the west coast of Norway. Its airport is the first stop for onward trips to many of our Norwegian ski resorts. Instead of heading straight out or home, why not spend some time exploring an authentic Scandinavian city?

Full of history and culture, Bergen is famous for its “typical Norwegian” nature and style and showcases traditional and historical buildings, such as Bryggen, as well as embodying the classic Scandinavian style. The harbour is a gateway to the stunning fjord region and the city is surrounded by the Seven Mountains.

Despite being the second largest city in Norway, I find Bergen to have a cosy charm to it. The streets are narrow, cobble roads lined with crooked, colourful houses. Plus, the friendly locals speak great English.

Interested in adding this wholesome city break to your next Norwegian ski trip? It’s possible with our tailor-made holidays. All you have to do is fill out a short enquiry form or call 01273 224060, and we’ll do the rest!

Although Bergen is a very walkable city, the light rail (or “Bybanen”, meaning “the city line”) is a convenient, inexpensive way to get around. 

If you need to travel to or from the airport, I would suggest getting Bybanen. Operating almost every hour on the weekdays and departing every five to eight minutes, it takes 40 minutes from the airport (Bergen Flesland) to Byparken in the centre of town. 

If staying at the 4* Hotel Grand Terminus, you’ll want to get on/off at Nonneseter. The light rail stop, two minutes from the accommodation, will get you into Bergen centre, and from there back to the hotel. Alternatively, walking is just as quick directly from the hotel to the city centre.

The best way to see “the real Bergen” is to wander around. This is how I discovered the hidden gems throughout the city. Most of the top things to see and do are in the centre of town, making Bergen an easy city to explore in 24 hours. Listed below are some of my favourite places and recommendations for Bergen you can visit on your next city break!

“Bryggen” (meaning: “the wharf”) is probably the most iconic symbol of Bergen.

Since the Viking age, Bergen has been an important city for trade. Colourful houses and shops on the harbourfront are a welcoming site for arriving boats and ferries. These historic buildings are not only nice to look at, but they hide small walkways with niche shops. This includes a novelty Christmas store, which is open all year round!

Norway is known for its seafood, and Bergen offers an impressive range of freshly caught fish displayed in the city's outdoor market, Fisketorget. Unfortunately for skiers, the outdoor section closes throughout winter. However, the food hall is open all year round. I'd recommend stopping at restaurants Fjellsjål and Fish Me for a bite or two.

Bergen is a beautiful place surrounded by dramatic fjords, glaciers and a beautiful mountain range. To get jaw-dropping panoramic views of the city and the surrounding area, it's best to take the Fløibanen up to Fløyen, one of Bergen's seven mountains.

From the top, you can see past the mountains and take in Bergen from every angle, before following one of the trails down. The local challenge is to hike up all seven mountain tops in one day - that's one way to warm up before skiing!

Venturing back into Bergen by light rail from the top is possible too. The newly built Kaigaten railway takes you to Haukeland Hospital, which is a five minute walk from the lower cable car stop of Ulriken Mountain.

Top Tip - Ride the Ulriken Cable Car to the top of Bergen’s highest mountain at night, before dinner. Visiting in the evening means you can eat at Sky Skraperen whilst marvelling at the city's lights below. It's a truly memorable dining experience!

There are plenty of options to see Bergen from the water. The fjords and harbour don’t freeze over so you can happily cruise around on one of the many boats, such as “Beffen” no matter the season. Alternatively, you can hop on one of the day trip ferries. Either way, observing Bergen by boat offers a unique perspective on a serene city. It's well worth experiencing!

If you're a fan of art like me, or you happen to be in Bergen on a rainy day, you have the pleasant option of looking at some beautiful Scandinavian artwork.

KODE is one of the Nordic region's largest art and music museums. It's home to several galleries and music houses. There’s always an interesting exhibition at one of the seven museums around the city.

A short walk from the city centre is the aquarium, one of my favourite places in Bergen. It's home to local Norwegian sea creatures and species, and also sea lions, otters, and my favourite, the penguins!

There are plenty of shops dotted around Bergen. The two main shopping centres are Galleriet (The Gallery) and Lagunen (The Lagoon).

Most of the main Scandinavian retail brands are at both shopping centres. The Galleriet and the streets of Torgallmenningen are the best areas for independent shops. The ideal spot to get that special souvenir for family and friends.

Bergen is the birthplace of world-famous musical composer Edward Grieg. Named after him is the Grieghallen (the Grieg Hall). The hall is the perfect arena to experience culture with shows and concerts on offer.

If your visit to Bergen coincides with the Christmas period, it's worth adding a visit to the world’s largest Gingerbread Village to your itinerary list. All the houses, cars, trains and streets are made of gingerbread and baked by local schools, families and organisations. The fun mini-Bergen is great for adults and children alike.

You’re sure to work up an appetite wandering around Bergen and checking out the sights, so luckily you have a lot of fantastic options for lunch, dinner and treats!

1. Søstrene Hagelin - here you'll find the best fish cakes in Bergen (and possibly in the world)! This small restaurant has been a Bergen staple since 1929 and serves traditional Norwegian fish courses. 
2. Magic Ice Bar - a few Norwegian cities have Magic Ice Bars, and they're a really cool (pun intended) experience. It's not every day you can enjoy a drink whilst admiring ice sculptures depicting renowned international and Norwegian art.
3. Det Lille Kaffekompaniet (The little coffee company) - this cafe is a stone's throw away from Fløibanen lower station and serves great coffee. This is one of the gems I discovered by wandering around and has become a regular shop for me when I visit!
4. Fjåk - if you’re a chocolate lover, you have to try Fjåk! There are loads of chocolates for you to choose from. Rich, thick and bitter to milky and sweet, and everything in between. Visiting is always a treat.
5. Hallaisen - next to Fjåk is Bergen’s most famous ice cream shop. They stay closed on very stormy and rainy days, but it’s definitely worth checking if they’re open! On a sunny afternoon, there’s nothing better than enjoying delicious ice cream by Bryggen.
6. Allmuen - if you enjoy good food made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, I would recommend Almuen. Their menu is always changing based on what’s in season, and you’re sure to taste some traditional, in-season dishes. To get the most out of your dining experience, it's best to order a few of the sharing platters as well as one main to share. To compliment the food, there's a quality beer and wine list to choose from.
7. Frescohallen - the former Bergen stock exchange building is now a hotel, restaurant and bar!  It serves a range of amazing food and drinks. However, what sets it apart is the impressive art on the walls and ceilings, adding to the building's historic charm.
8. Villani (location Skostredet) - a lovely Italian restaurant with great cocktails, amazing food and a nice ambience. If Norwegian cuisine is not to your taste, you can't go wrong here.

Bergen is available as a city add-on when visiting many of our Norwegian ski resorts. To receive a tailor-made itinerary for Norway including skiing and a city stay, request a quotation online or call 01273 224060 to speak to a Norway ski specialist. View our Norway Ski Safaris for our suggested itineraries.

Carina has also given her advice on what to do in 24 hours in Oslo if you were looking to explore Norway's capital instead.